D. and W. Henderson and Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Marine engineering, Shipbuilding |
| Founded | 1872 |
| Defunct | 1936 |
| Headquarters | Glasgow , Scotland |
| Products | Ships, Marine engines, Yachts |
David & William Henderson and Company was a marine engineering and shipbuilding enterprise situated on Clydeside, Scotland. Established in 1872, the firm continued operations until 1936. Their shipyard was positioned on the northern shore of the River Clyde, near where it joins the River Kelvin.
The firm's administrative buildings remained intact until 2017. Initially, these premises accommodated haulage companies such as Duncan Barbour Ltd and later served as offices for the Clyde Port Authority under the name Scotway Ltd. These structures have since been replaced by facilities for student housing.
The origins of the company trace back to 1835 with the founding of Tod and Macgregor by David Tod and John Macgregor, focusing on marine engineering projects. In 1844, they developed an 85 horsepower steeple style engine for the river steamer Invincible, which powered large paddle wheels directly, enabling speeds up to 13.5 mph. After the passing of Tod and Macgregor, ownership transferred, and the firm was rebranded as D and W Henderson and Company. Post-World War I, it became part of Harland & Wolff.
Throughout its existence, Tod and Macgregor constructed approximately 145 vessels, while D&W Henderson produced around 377 ships. Among their notable builds were Loch Sloy (1877), PS Terranora (1878), USS Christabel (1893), SS Caledonia (1904), SS Ancona (1907), HMS Arabis (1915), along with ferries such as Dee Why and Curl Curl launched in 1928.
Yachts of note
The steel-built yacht Thistle, created in 1887 for a Scottish syndicate aiming to compete in the America's Cup, was later sold to German Emperor Wilhelm II after an unsuccessful challenge.
In 1893, D&W Henderson's shipyard constructed Valkyrie II, a gaff-rigged cutter designed by George Lennox Watson for Lord Dunraven of the Royal Yacht Squadron. Built alongside HMY Britannia, she featured a steel framework with a wooden hull and pine decking but did not succeed in her America's Cup attempt that year.
Commissioned in 1892 by Edward, Prince of Wales and also designed by Watson, Royal Yacht HMY Britannia closely resembled Valkyrie II. The construction cost amounted to £8,300.
Another contender, Valkyrie III, built in 1895 for a Royal Yacht Squadron syndicate, issued a contentious yet unsuccessful challenge for the America's Cup.
The steam yacht SY Veglia, weighing 960 tons and completed in 1895 for Nathaniel de Rothschild, was sold to George W. C. Drexel in 1902. It entered US Navy service as USS Alcedo in 1917 but was sunk by a German torpedo near Brest later that same year.
External links
- Manufacturing companies based in Glasgow
- River Clyde
- Defunct shipbuilding companies of Scotland
- 1872 establishments in Scotland
- British companies established in 1872
- Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1872
- Vehicle manufacturing companies disestablished in 1936
- 1936 disestablishments in Scotland
- Partick
- British companies disestablished in 1936